The Patriots make their way to Buffalo as this always-interesting divisional rivalry is renewed once again.

The Patriots own a 41-36-1 advantage in the overall standings (including a playoff win way back in 1963) and have been the better team as of late, prevailing in seven of the last nine meetings dating back to the clubs' second encounter in 1994.

Last season, these teams split their two-game set for the second time in three years. In Week 11 at Orchard Park, Buffalo's ground attack rolled up 213 yards and QB Doug Flutie threw for 178 yards and a score (2 INTs) as the Bills held off a late Patriots rally for a 13-10 win.

Just two weeks later at Foxboro (Week 13), New England jumped out to a 14-0 second-quarter lead but eventually fell behind, 21-17, when Bills QB Doug Flutie threw a 4-yard TD pass to WR Andre Reed with 6:14 remaining. However, the Patriots engineered a last-second miracle as Bledsoe threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to TE Ben Coates with no time on the clock (set up by a controversial pass interference call on Bills' SS Henry Jones on a pass attempt into the end zone on the final play of regulation) and PK Adam Vinatieri ran for an uncontested two-point conversion as Pete Carroll's club pulled out an amazing 25-21 victory.

Despite last year's loss, the Patriots have prevailed in three of their last five visits to Ralph Wilson Stadium dating back to 1994.

Numbers: The Patriots have committed five turnovers in six wins, 14 turnovers in four losses in '99. The Patriots have allowed three or more sacks in four straight games. They have forced two or more turnovers in three straight games.

The Bills have committed seven turnovers and allowed eight sacks in seven wins while committing 12 turnovers and allowing 12 sacks in four losses in '99. They have allowed 72 points in seven wins, 94 points in 4 losses in '99. The Bills have limited the opposition to 17 or fewer points and to fewer than 100 yards rushing in four straight games. WR Eric Moulds has scored at least one touchdown in his last six games.

Things to look for: From atop the AFC East to trying to hold off the last-place Jets, Pete Carroll's Patriots remain the team in this league with the most fragile psyche. And if QB Drew Bledsoe doesn't regain his early season form, New England's recent fall from grace will continue. Buffalo's offense was non-existent in the Jersey swamps last Sunday, but it should rebound against the Pats' defense.

Etc.: The Bills own a 99-56 from 1990-99, and with a victory can become the second team this decade (49ers) to win 100 games in the 1990s. Including playoffs, the Patriots are 20-8 in their last 28 games vs. divisional competition (1-0 in playoffs) dating back to Week 8 of 1996, 4 of those losses to the Jets.

The Bills are 81-22 at home (including 9-1 in playoffs) since 1988. They are 66-31 (including 3-1 in playoffs) vs. AFC East competition since 1988, however, they are just 24-22 vs. divisional foes since 1994 (including playoffs). WR Andre Reed (12,980) needs 20 yards to become just the 5th player in NFL history with 13,000 receiving yards. Reed (86) needs two touchdown catches to tie Don Maynard (88) for 5th place on the NFL's all-time touchdown receptions list. Reed (87) needs one touchdown to tie Don Maynard (88) for 19th place on the NFL's all-time touchdowns scored list. PK Steve Christie (240) needs one field goal to tie Chris Bahr (241) for 19th place on the NFL's all-time field goals list.